Kai' POV
The morning sun filtered through the small window of my room as I woke up, the soft golden light falling on my face. Today was the day—finally, after all the training and preparation, Akio and I would leave the village for the royal capital. I threw on my simple clothes: a dark brown tunic that fit snugly, its fabric worn but comfortable from years of use, and matching pants that allowed easy movement. I strapped leather bracers on my wrists; they weren't fancy, but they provided enough protection for any light scrapes along the way. Feeling ready, I took a deep breath, savoring the moment before heading to join my family for breakfast.
After a quick meal with my family, we made our way to the village's edge, where Akio was already waiting. I spotted him leaning casually against a tree, his arms crossed, his posture relaxed yet attentive. His dark blue jacket caught the morning light, its sleek, tailored fabric making him look as if he were already in the capital. Silver embroidery decorated the cuffs and collar, adding a subtle elegance to his otherwise simple travel coat. I had to admit, he looked pretty cool.
"Hey," Akio greeted us with a nod as we arrived.
After exchanging farewells with my family and the other villagers, we stood at the village gate for one last moment. The wind was light, and the sound of rustling leaves filled the air as we prepared to set off. The village that had been our home for so long was fading behind us, replaced by the vast unknown ahead.
With one last wave to everyone, Akio and I began our journey.
We had been walking for a while when something started to bother me. We were heading down the path, but I realized I had no idea how to get to the capital. Turning to Akio, I asked, "Hey, do you know the way to the royal capital?"
Akio stopped and blinked at me for a moment. "No," he said simply, as if it were no big deal.
"What?! So… how are we supposed to get there?" I asked, a bit panicked.
With a smirk, Akio reached into his coat and pulled out a small, folded map. "Don't worry," he said, unfolding it, "I have this."
I stared at him in disbelief. "A map? You had a map this whole time?! Why didn't you use it earlier?!"
He chuckled. "Relax. I knew the way up until here. There was no need to use it."
I sighed, shaking my head as we stood at a fork in the road. One path went left, the other right. Akio carefully studied the map. "Hmm, let's see... right now we're here," he pointed to a spot on the map, "so the way to the capital is... left."
"Are you sure?" I asked, still skeptical.
Akio nodded confidently. "Yep, it's shown right here."
We turned left and continued our journey, though I couldn't shake the feeling that something might be off. As we walked, I asked, "By the way, where did you get that map?"
"Miss Alice gave it to me," Akio said nonchalantly.
"What?! She gave it to you? I'm her student, and she didn't give it to me!" I said, feeling a little hurt.
Akio shrugged, grinning arrogantly. "Maybe she believes in me more than you."
I shot him a glare, but he just smirked and looked away. The rest of our walk was spent in silence until we came to a small elevated hill. After crossing it, we reached the edge of a thick forest.
"Hah, let's take a break," I suggested, wiping sweat from my brow.
Akio nodded. "Yeah, we've been walking since morning. A break before entering the forest sounds good."
We sat down on the grassy hillside, unpacking our simple lunch. We had brought dried meats, some bread, and a few fruits. The air was fresh and cool, with the faint scent of pine from the forest ahead. Birds chirped from nearby trees, and the gentle rustling of leaves provided a calming backdrop.
As we ate, Akio glanced at the map again. "If we keep walking at this pace, we should reach the capital in three days," he said confidently.
"Really?" I asked, surprised.
"Yeah. The forest will take two days to cross, and after that, we'll reach the grasslands where the capital is located," Akio explained.
"That's great! We'll have four days to explore the royal capital before the entrance exams," I said excitedly.
Akio nodded, pulling the map out once more as we discussed our course. After finishing our meal, we packed up and resumed walking. The afternoon passed peacefully, with the sun filtering through the trees as we made our way deeper into the forest. As the sun began to set, we decided to set up camp.
"Go gather some wood for the fire," Akio said, while he prepared a spot for us to sleep.
I nodded and went off into the forest, searching for dry branches. The forest was quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves or snap of a twig under my feet. The deeper I went, the darker it became, but eventually, I found enough wood and returned to camp.
Akio had finished setting up a simple sleeping area—a couple of logs to sit on and a blanket spread over the ground. "This will do," he said, satisfied.
After a quick dinner, we laid down to rest. But as we were drifting off, the sound of distant roars and screeches echoed through the forest, sending a chill down my spine. Akio and I shot up, exchanging glances.
"We should take turns keeping watch," I said.
Akio nodded in agreement. "I'll go first."
The next morning, we packed up and continued our journey. The forest was thick, with towering trees that seemed to reach the sky, their branches forming a canopy that filtered the sunlight into soft beams. The air was cooler here, and the sounds of nature surrounded us.
We had been walking for a few hours when suddenly, a massive bird-like creature swooped down from above. Its feathers were a dark purple, and its sharp talons gleamed in the sunlight as it let out a piercing screech. The creature, a Thunderhawk, was known for its speed and aggression.
I instinctively prepared to cast a spell, gathering mana for an attack, but before I could act, Akio stepped forward.
"Leave this to me," he said, his eyes sharp and focused.
With a swift motion, Akio raised his hand, and wind began to swirl around him. "Tempest Gale!" he shouted, and a powerful blast of wind shot towards the Thunderhawk, knocking it out of the sky.
I watched in awe as the creature crashed to the ground, defeated. Akio stood tall, a proud smile on his face. "That was too easy," he said.
"Show-off," I muttered, though I couldn't deny how impressive his magic was.
After the battle, we continued walking and eventually arrived at a beautiful waterfall. The sound of rushing water filled the air, and the sight of the clear blue pool beneath the falls was too inviting to resist. We took a break, splashing around and cooling off before continuing our journey.
By evening, the forest began to thin out, and just as the sun was setting, we finally saw it—the royal capital. Or at least, what we thought was the capital. Massive stone walls surrounded the city, with banners fluttering in the breeze. It looked impressive, but something didn't feel right.
"Finally!" I shouted, relieved to see civilization.
But as I looked at the city, a strange thought crossed my mind. "Hey, Akio... isn't it strange?"
Akio raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"Well... didn't Master Alice say we'd reach the grasslands after the forest? But the city is right in front of the forest," I said, scratching my head.
Akio shrugged. "Maybe she was mistaken. Let's go in and find an inn."
As we entered the city, we were stopped by the guard at the gate. He wasn't wearing the typical armor of the capital's soldiers. Instead, he wore a simple uniform with a crest on his chest that looked familiar, but I couldn't place it.
"Isn't that uniform strange?" I whispered to Akio. "I feel like I've seen that crest before."
"You're overthinking it," Akio said dismissively.
Once inside, we found an inn and asked the innkeeper for a room. "That'll be three bronze coins for the night," he said.
Akio and I exchanged confused glances. "Wait, aren't rooms free for those taking the royal academy exam?" Akio asked.
The innkeeper chuckled. "That's only in the capital. You're in the territory of Duke Valen."
"What?! This isn't the capital?" I asked, my heart sinking.
"Nope. But don't worry, the capital's only three days away," the innkeeper said casually.
I felt a sense of dread wash over me. Three more days? The exam registration was in three days.
Akio and I stepped outside, standing on a bridge overlooking a river that flowed gently below us. The water shimmered in the fading light, and I couldn't help but feel the weight of our situation.
"We're in big trouble," I muttered, staring down at the water. "Just like this river, time keeps flowing... and we're running out of it."